Mollet v. Casteel

The plaintiff lessees recovered a judgment for the cost of working and seeding land owned by the defendant lessor. The defendant appeals.

The defendant leased farm land to the plaintiffs for a term of seven years. The plaintiffs were to work the soil and purchase and grow grass seed, all at plaintiffs’ expense. The rent was to be one-third of the yearly crop. The lease provided:

“Should the within demised premises be sold by first party [lessor] prior to the expiration of the term herein, then and in that event, the first party shall pay to second parties [lessees] the prevailing rate for the…